The proverbial Top Ten List. A sacred tradition passed down by our cinematic elders. This is the fourth time I have partaken in this holy tradition, and one thing has remained constant is that this list is never set in stone. As we catch up with more films we missed or rewatch our favorites it causes us to like a movie more or less causing this list to change. In fact in 2012 and 2013 I ended up seeing my number one film of the year after I wrote up my Top 10. So the question becomes, “Why Do it?”. Well, for one it’s fun. At least I find it an enjoyable exercise as I try to break down the year that was. I watched 163 movies that were released in 2014. Narrowing that 163 down to a Top 10 is a challenge I enjoy.
Looking at 2014 as a whole it is evident it was a pretty good year.
Looking at 2014 as a whole it is evident it was a pretty good year.
- 1/11/2015
- by Dan Clark
- Nerdly
Stars: Scarlett Johansson, Paul Brannigan, Jessica Mance, Joe Szula, Lynsey Taylor Mackay | Written by Walter Campbell | Directed by Jonathan Glazer
When Jonathan Glazer last directed almost ten years ago he polarized audiences with his controversial film Birth. His latest effort will no doubt have a similar effect. Under the Skin is a Kubrikian-esque Science Fiction thriller that will fully transfix some with its eerie imagery and bore others with its cold demeanor and methodical pace. Those who argue the format of movies has become stale will find that Glazer pushes cinema forward by being willing to leave some behind.
Ambiguity may not be a strong enough word to describe the films premise. Scarlet Johansson plays an alien dressed in the skin of a woman who prowls around Glasgow seducing young hitchhikers. Her purpose is unstated, but she traps these men in this static state for the benefit of her kind.
When Jonathan Glazer last directed almost ten years ago he polarized audiences with his controversial film Birth. His latest effort will no doubt have a similar effect. Under the Skin is a Kubrikian-esque Science Fiction thriller that will fully transfix some with its eerie imagery and bore others with its cold demeanor and methodical pace. Those who argue the format of movies has become stale will find that Glazer pushes cinema forward by being willing to leave some behind.
Ambiguity may not be a strong enough word to describe the films premise. Scarlet Johansson plays an alien dressed in the skin of a woman who prowls around Glasgow seducing young hitchhikers. Her purpose is unstated, but she traps these men in this static state for the benefit of her kind.
- 7/7/2014
- by Dan Clark
- Nerdly
It is that time again as 2014 is already half over. Wow, time flies when you are watching movies. The year being half over brings my annual, “Top 10 Movies of the Year…So Far” list, and without question this is my strongest list by a long shot. One big reason is the increase of great titles that have been released On Demand. Half of my list in fact is made up of films I saw On Demand. Now I am all for supporting your local Art House Theater as much as possible, but certain films don’t make it outside of La and New York so On Demand is a great tool to experience some great Independent movies. I feel like geek culture is far too obsessed with franchises that stick to the same format over and over again. I enjoy franchise movies as well, as you will see on this list,...
- 6/22/2014
- by Dan Clark
- Nerdly
Stars: Scarlett Johansson, Paul Brannigan, Jessica Mance, Joe Szula, Lynsey Taylor Mackay | Written by Walter Campbell | Directed by Jonathan Glazer
When Jonathan Glazer last directed almost ten years ago he polarized audiences with his controversial film Birth. His latest effort will no doubt have a similar effect. Under the Skin is a Kubrikian-esque Science Fiction thriller that will fully transfix some with its eerie imagery and bore others with its cold demeanor and methodical pace. Those who argue the format of movies has become stale will find that Glazer pushes cinema forward by being willing to leave some behind.
Ambiguity may not be a strong enough word to describe the films premise. Scarlet Johansson plays an alien dressed in the skin of a woman who prowls around Edinburgh Glasgow, Scotland seducing young hitchhikers. Her purpose is unstated, but she traps these men in this static state for the benefit of her kind.
When Jonathan Glazer last directed almost ten years ago he polarized audiences with his controversial film Birth. His latest effort will no doubt have a similar effect. Under the Skin is a Kubrikian-esque Science Fiction thriller that will fully transfix some with its eerie imagery and bore others with its cold demeanor and methodical pace. Those who argue the format of movies has become stale will find that Glazer pushes cinema forward by being willing to leave some behind.
Ambiguity may not be a strong enough word to describe the films premise. Scarlet Johansson plays an alien dressed in the skin of a woman who prowls around Edinburgh Glasgow, Scotland seducing young hitchhikers. Her purpose is unstated, but she traps these men in this static state for the benefit of her kind.
- 4/19/2014
- by Dan Clark
- Nerdly
Chicago – Imagine a stranger taking a journey around the landscape of their destiny, and that only begins to describe the audacity and power of director Jonathan Glazer’s “Under the Skin.” Scarlett Johansson creates a character of undeniable mystery and truth, a stranger in a strange land.
Rating: 5.0/5.0
Johansson portrays an alien who looks like Scarlett Johansson, and thus can lure the men of this world – or at least the part of the world that is Scotland – into a void that they follow “her” into. And because the seduction is highly metaphoric, it reflects back to connections between men and women, the islands of human isolation, and the ramifications of our outer and inner selves. There is something so viable about the morality of the film, down to the last desperate and unfair punishment that the Johansson character must endure. This work of art is highly meditative, and eventually highly personal.
Rating: 5.0/5.0
Johansson portrays an alien who looks like Scarlett Johansson, and thus can lure the men of this world – or at least the part of the world that is Scotland – into a void that they follow “her” into. And because the seduction is highly metaphoric, it reflects back to connections between men and women, the islands of human isolation, and the ramifications of our outer and inner selves. There is something so viable about the morality of the film, down to the last desperate and unfair punishment that the Johansson character must endure. This work of art is highly meditative, and eventually highly personal.
- 4/11/2014
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – The buzz for the new film, “Under the Skin,” is tremendous, both for Scarlett Johansson’s performance and the amount of symbolic and real exposure for the actress. Director Jonathan Glazer (“Sexy Beast,” “Birth”) has fashioned a metaphoric gem based on a novel by Michel Faber, about an alien visitor.
The British-born Glazer is known for meaningful films, that work on multiple layers. He began his career fashioning stylish TV commercials and music videos. His directorial debut was the unforgettable “Sexy Beast,” starring Ben Kingsley in an otherworldly performance. In 2004, he directed Nicole Williams and Lauren Bacall in the strange but lovely “Birth.” His third effort is “Under the Skin,” and he composes a symbolic journey for Scarlett Johansson, as an alien who adopts a seductive outer layer, only to begin to understand what it all means.
Through a Glass Lightly: Scarlett Johansson in ‘Under the Skin’
Photo credit:...
The British-born Glazer is known for meaningful films, that work on multiple layers. He began his career fashioning stylish TV commercials and music videos. His directorial debut was the unforgettable “Sexy Beast,” starring Ben Kingsley in an otherworldly performance. In 2004, he directed Nicole Williams and Lauren Bacall in the strange but lovely “Birth.” His third effort is “Under the Skin,” and he composes a symbolic journey for Scarlett Johansson, as an alien who adopts a seductive outer layer, only to begin to understand what it all means.
Through a Glass Lightly: Scarlett Johansson in ‘Under the Skin’
Photo credit:...
- 4/10/2014
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Directed by: Jonathan Glazer Written by: Walter Campbell and Jonathan Glazer, based on the novel by Michael Faber Main Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Paul Brannigan, Lynsey Taylor Mackay, and others Past Oscar relations: None, though Scarlett Johansson has received four Golden Globe nominations and twice came very close to Academy Award nominations Here now is the newest article in this series on 2014 contenders hoping to compete for Oscar attention. Next up today is Jonathan Glazer’s Under the Skin, which hopes to be the sort of heady indie contender that voters every so often can fall under the spell of. Glazer’s acclaimed Sexy Beast wasn’t able to attract enough votes, but can this one do better? Armed with an amazing performance by Scarlett Johansson and some incredible visuals/sound design, Glazer has a magnificent movie, though one that could prove to be a hard sell. What this flick really...
- 4/2/2014
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
Stars: Scarlett Johansson, Paul Brannigan, Jessica Mance, Joe Szula, Lynsey Taylor Mackay | Written by Walter Campbell | Directed by Jonathan Glazer
Review by Scott Clark of The People’s Movies
Directed by Jonathan Glazer (Sexy Beast) and filmed entirely on location across Scotland Under the Skin is a film flaunting incredible cinematography strung together by a predominantly performance-orientated narrative. Based on the Novel by Michael Faber, Under the Skin follows Laura (Scarlett Johansson), an alien from another world, as she travels across Scotland kidnapping young men.
Glazer’s latest is a sci-fi film akin to 2001: A Space Odyssey in that one of the film’s main components is its striking tone and total control over the presented image. Daniel Landin’s exquisite palette of subdued tones creates a grim atmospheric back-drop for the film’s often macabre visual style. The same gorgeous control over image translates the Scottish landscape into a strange muggy alien territory,...
Review by Scott Clark of The People’s Movies
Directed by Jonathan Glazer (Sexy Beast) and filmed entirely on location across Scotland Under the Skin is a film flaunting incredible cinematography strung together by a predominantly performance-orientated narrative. Based on the Novel by Michael Faber, Under the Skin follows Laura (Scarlett Johansson), an alien from another world, as she travels across Scotland kidnapping young men.
Glazer’s latest is a sci-fi film akin to 2001: A Space Odyssey in that one of the film’s main components is its striking tone and total control over the presented image. Daniel Landin’s exquisite palette of subdued tones creates a grim atmospheric back-drop for the film’s often macabre visual style. The same gorgeous control over image translates the Scottish landscape into a strange muggy alien territory,...
- 9/30/2013
- by Guest
- Nerdly
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